The overcast Saturday morning of Aug. 31 brought competitors and spectators to LC’s cross-country course for for the first of many meets. Girls varsity and JV teams had their first big race against Munster, Portage, Merrillville, Hobart and Boone Grove.

‘Run for Downey” was their motto and was proudly displayed on their hands with sharpie.

“[Coach Ann Downey] had to go to a wedding so she couldn’t be here for our first race day.” Nicole Ferge. (9)

After stretching and warming up, the girls varsity teams grouped together by schools and lined up to race. The gun fired and off they went into the wooded, muddy field for the 5K event. Five out the first nine spots were Lake Central girls.

Nearly 10 minutes into the JV girls’ 5K race, dark clouds rolled in and the athletes were instructed to return to the starting line due to a severe thunderstorm warning. Pouring rain came down on the girls as they jogged back, covered head to toe in mud.

“Even though the weather didn’t cooperate and [JV] didn’t get to finish, we did great,” Hannah Souronis (9) said

The girls were able to place first with an average time of 21:03.40 and a total score of 29. The girls individually placed second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, 12th and 17th.